The Two Brothers
For far too long the system failed
in the hearts of many Cree.
Where justice for their friends and family
would never set them free.
So at this time we tell a story
and wish it wasn't true.
When a year ago, two Brothers did...
what only Brothers do.
The Mountie spoke, 'The news is bad,
your daughter has been hurt.
A Father stunned and his mind is racing,
his senses on alert.
'Will she be okay,' the Father begged
as his heart began to break.
The Mountie replied, 'It's looking good,
she's conscious and awake.
I found her near the railway yard
at the end of Market Street.
Her face in tears and her clothes were torn,
it looks like she's been beat.'
'Before you see her, I have to ask
since she won't talk to me.
Any thoughts on who just might
commit this heinous deed?'
The Father was silent and the Mountie knew
that trouble soon would follow,
Since the local laws to an angry Cree
were meaningless and hollow.
Like many others... his daughter's suffering
would be lost before the courts.
So no justice there... he would not seek
its function or support.
His eyes weld up as his little girl
lay injured on the bed,
'Who has done this thing,' the Father asked
as his face was cringing red.
In a quiet voice the daughter spoke,
'Two men with snake tattoos.'
'Those men have earned a vile debt,' he said.
'And their payments coming due.'
The Father slipped out the back
knowing the Mountie had not gone far.
He then drove to Market Street where he wanted
to check the men at Smiley's Bar.
His anger raged as he thought about
years of abuse and sordid lies.
Then parked his car and was at the door
when two men brushed him by.
One man said, 'Watch yourself.'
They smelled of home-made brew.
'Step aside or you'll be sorry,'
said the men with snake tattoos.
'You beat my girl and hurt her bad,
I'm here to make you pay.
And draw a Father's vengeance
and I will certainly have my way.
You boys are in a lot of trouble
and this will be my night.
So run and hide should be your play
but I would rather see you fight.'
One took a swing, he fell and hit the ground.
the other flashed a knife.
The Father lunged and hit the man
who tried to take his life.
The fight was quickly over
and when all is well and said.
The men were both unconscious
and one of them was dead.
The Father knew what he'd done
would be seen as jailed crime.
So he went home to see his family
for one last grieving time.
He hugged his wife and children
and turned to face his Brother.
The Father said, 'While I'm away,
you must look to one another.'
The Brother thought... the family needed
the Father to be there.
And quickly spoke, 'I will take the fall
and end this sad affair.'
'Don't be silly,' the Father said.
'I won't let you ruin your life.'
The Brother replied, 'It's mine to give
as you have children and a wife.'
Hours passed as the family talked
and after much advice.
The Father sat with his head held low,
he would allow the sacrifice.
The Mountie came and made the charge
while the Father paced the floor.
Then turned away as his Brother spoke,
'It's me you're looking for.'
There was no investigation... as the guilty plea
was all the Crown required.
And the Father wept after sentence passed
for the Brother he admired.
It is extremely hard to comprehend
but as you can plainly see.
Two Brothers did what Brothers do
as members of the Cree.
The End
*For those who might be interested, I will be posting my new cartoon, 'Bob's Your Uncle,' on my homepage every second day.
Copyright © David Mchattie | Year Posted 2019
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